Canon SX730 vs Panasonic ZS80

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 (labelled Panasonic TZ95 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in April 2017 and February 2019. Both the SX730 and the ZS80 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20.2 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX730		Panasonic ZS80
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-960mm f/3.3-6.9		24-720mm f/3.3-6.4
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor		20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 6,400)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (2330k dots)
3.0 LCD, 922k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Tilting touchscreen
5.9 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
250 shots per battery charge		380 shots per battery charge
110 x 64 x 40 mm, 300 g		112 x 69 x 42 mm, 327 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon SX730 and the Panasonic ZS80 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic ZS80 is notably larger (10 percent) than the Canon SX730. Moreover, the ZS80 is markedly heavier (9 percent) than the SX730. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX730 nor the ZS80 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX730 gets 250 shots out of its NB-13L battery, while the ZS80 can take 380 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLG10 power pack. The power pack in the ZS80 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life 1	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch 2	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon SX730	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	300 g	250	n	Apr 2017	399
	Panasonic ZS80	112 mm	69 mm	42 mm	327 g	380	n	Feb 2019	449
	Canon 2000D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
	Canon SX740	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	399
	Canon G9 X Mark II	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	206 g	235	n	Jan 2017	529
	Canon G7 X Mark II	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	699
	Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299
	Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	399
	Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379
	Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349
	Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399
	Fujifilm XF10	113 mm	64 mm	41 mm	279 g	330	n	Jul 2018	499
	Panasonic TS7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	449
	Panasonic TZ90	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449
	Panasonic ZS70	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement.

Camera Model
Canon SX730
Panasonic ZS80
Canon 2000D
Canon SX740
Canon G9 X Mark II
Canon G7 X Mark II
Canon SX420
Canon SX540
Canon SX720
Canon SX710
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm XF10
Panasonic TS7
Panasonic TZ90
Panasonic ZS70

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The SX730 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 11 percent) than the ZS80, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20.2 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the SX730 and the ZS80 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the ZS80 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 10 months) than the SX730, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX730 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-6400.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic ZS80	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon 2000D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	11.9	1009	71
	Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Canon G9 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.9	12.5	522	65
	Canon G7 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm XF10	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic TS7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic TZ90	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36
	Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36

Camera Model
Canon SX730
Panasonic ZS80
Canon 2000D
Canon SX740
Canon G9 X Mark II
Canon G7 X Mark II
Canon SX420
Canon SX540
Canon SX720
Canon SX710
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm XF10
Panasonic TS7
Panasonic TZ90
Panasonic ZS70

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the ZS80 provides a better video resolution than the SX730. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the ZS80 has an electronic viewfinder (2330k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX730 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon SX730, the Panasonic ZS80, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
	Panasonic ZS80	2330	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Canon 2000D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon SX740	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y
	Canon G9 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	8.2	Y	Y
	Canon G7 X Mark II	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	8.0	Y	Y
	Canon SX420	none	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5	Y	Y
	Canon SX540	none	n	3.0	461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9	Y	Y
	Canon SX720	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
	Canon SX710	none	n	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0	Y	Y
	Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm XF10	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Panasonic TS7	1170	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0	Y	Y
	Panasonic TZ90	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
	Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y

Camera Model
Canon SX730
Panasonic ZS80
Canon 2000D
Canon SX740
Canon G9 X Mark II
Canon G7 X Mark II
Canon SX420
Canon SX540
Canon SX720
Canon SX710
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm XF10
Panasonic TS7
Panasonic TZ90
Panasonic ZS70

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The ZS80 has a touchscreen, while the SX730 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the ZS80 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

Both the SX730 and the ZS80 have zoom lenses built in. The SX730 has a 24-960mm f/3.3-6.9 optic and the ZS80 offers a 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon and Panasonic provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Panasonic has less tele-photo reach at the long end. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX730 and the ZS80 write their files to SDXC cards. The ZS80 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the SX730 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Panasonic ZS80	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Canon 2000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX740	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon G9 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon G7 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX420	-	mono	mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX540	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX720	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon SX710	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Fujifilm XF10	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Panasonic TS7	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Panasonic TZ90	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

Camera Model
Canon SX730
Panasonic ZS80
Canon 2000D
Canon SX740
Canon G9 X Mark II
Canon G7 X Mark II
Canon SX420
Canon SX540
Canon SX720
Canon SX710
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm XF10
Panasonic TS7
Panasonic TZ90
Panasonic ZS70

The ZS80 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the SX730 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the SX730 was succeeded by the Canon SX730 HS. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon SX730 better than the Panasonic ZS80 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS:

• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/3200s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (11 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in April 2017).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80:

• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5.9 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (380 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 10 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the ZS80 is the clear winner of the contest (9 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX730 and the Panasonic ZS80 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SX730 and the ZS80 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon SX730	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	399
	Panasonic ZS80	+ +	..	4.5/5	..	..	Feb 2019	449
	Canon 2000D	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
	Canon SX740	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Jul 2018	399
	Canon G9 X Mark II	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	529
	Canon G7 X Mark II	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699
	Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299
	Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	399
	Canon SX720	+	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379
	Canon SX710	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349
	Fujifilm X-A5	+	..	4/5	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399
	Fujifilm XF10	..	75/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	Jul 2018	499
	Panasonic TS7	+	..	..	..	3.5/5	May 2018	449
	Panasonic TZ90	+ +	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	449
	Panasonic ZS70	+ +	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	449
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Camera Model
Canon SX730
Panasonic ZS80
Canon 2000D
Canon SX740
Canon G9 X Mark II
Canon G7 X Mark II
Canon SX420
Canon SX540
Canon SX720
Canon SX710
Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm XF10
Panasonic TS7
Panasonic TZ90
Panasonic ZS70

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

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Specifications: Canon SX730 vs Panasonic ZS80

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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